SHORTFORM EDITING RESIDENCY

September 8-15, 2019

The Shortform Editing Residency fosters an informal, collaborative environment for independent filmmakers to edit their documentary shorts with guidance from peers and experienced mentors.

One week prior to the start of the Camden International Film Festival, four teams of filmmakers convene in a large house on the coast of Maine. Between group meals and outdoor excursions, they edit, screen, and discuss rough cuts, while working closely with a rotating cast of mentors. During the festival, participants meet with some of the industry’s leading funders and distributors of shorts, building the support, community and resources they need to complete their films.

Past mentors have included representatives from Field of Vision, VICE, Vimeo, Great Big Story (CNN) and Netflix.

The Shortform Editing Residency includes:

7 nights of accommodations for one on the picturesque coast of Maine

$1000 stipend for travel and rental car

(2) All Access Passes to the 2019 Camden International Film Festival and Points North Forum

Scheduled meetings with funders and distributors during CIFF

SUBMISSIONS & ELIGIBILITY

Submissions are now open!

The Shortform Residency is open to all independent filmmakers and journalists worldwide.

Projects must have begun post-production before the start of the residency. The only requirement is that you submit 2 minutes of edited footage.

Submitted projects must have an intended runtime of 40 minutes or less.

Submitted projects must have an intended completion date before April 1, 2020.

We’re looking for independent filmmakers, journalists and media artists from diverse backgrounds and unique artistic perspectives — storytellers who would benefit from spending a week in Maine editing under the guidance of mentors and connecting with key industry decision makers during the Camden International Film Festival and Points North Forum.

Major support provided by

MAE Private Foundation

WHY SHORTS?

At the Points North Institute, we have long been champions of documentary shorts. They allow filmmakers to experiment with the documentary form, release timely films more quickly, and engage wider audiences through digital platforms. Perhaps most importantly, the growing number of outlets for documentary shorts can help expand and diversify the field by lowering barriers to entry like the cost of production and distribution.

The Shortform Editing Residency, now entering its 4th year, builds on our longstanding commitment to short documentary filmmaking through our highly-curated and wildly popular shorts programs at Camden International Film Festival — Shorts First, Shorts X, and Dirigo Docs — as well as prior artist development programs like the New York Times Op-Docs Pitch @ CIFF (2013) and the AJ+ Pitch @ CIFF (2014).

2019 FILMMAKERS

La Caravana (The Caravan)

Each year, thousands of Central American migrants are reported missing in their journey north towards the U.S. In response to this growing humanitarian crisis, a caravan of Central American mothers travel throughout Mexico each year, seeking their missing children and demanding their voices be heard. La Caravana is a short documentary that follows these mothers during this journey, exploring the many layers of trauma inflicted by migration and the transformation of this sorrow into struggle and strength.

Directed by Erin Semine KökdilEdited by Chris Filippone

The Kahane Effect

The influence of radical Bronx-born rabbi Meir Kahane is seen through his American activism, Israeli political career, and connection to an unsolved murder. Kahane was assassinated in 1990, but his legacy of violence lives on through an extremist ideology that has gained traction since his death. Today, a member of his inner circle and alleged terrorist continues to incite conflict with impunity.

Directed by Jason Osder
Edited by Reid Davenport

The Sebastopol Siege

On the night of March 2nd, 1973, Michaela Madden, a recently widowed mother of 5, was held hostage for 8 hours in her rural California home­ — and subsequently vilified by her community. When her family revisits the story forty-five years later, the powers of human compassion and police aggression come into conflict in a larger exploration of family mythology and trauma.

Directed by Mimi Wilcox

USA v Scott

When Scott Warren established a camp in the desert to provide humanitarian aid for north bound migrants, he never imagined he’d be facing a possible 20-year prison sentence for his work. As Scott faces an uncertain future, a Tucson-based reverend reflects on at time when he and a group of clergy people faced charges for work that is inextricably tied to Scott today.

Directed by Ora DeKornfeld and Isabel Castro

“Every single filmmaker I met remarked upon what an incredible week it was and how generously supported they felt. I’ve been to several large festivals and pitch meetings over the years, but none had the camaraderie of this week. The Shortform Editing Residency created an atmosphere where we could have substantive conversations and then build real connections with industry reps that moved beyond just pitching.”

Carolyn McCulley, 2018 Shortform Editing Residency

“The Shortform Editing Residency is priceless. You walk away with a new filmmaker community, relationships that are deeper and far more enriching than you could ever have established by just going to film festivals. It truly gave me space to discuss my film’s flaws openly, with rigor, and ultimately walk away with a better motion picture.”

Kamau Bilal, 2017 Shortform Editing Residency

“One of the most amazing experiences in bonding with film nerds that I’ve ever had.”

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